Constitutional Convention

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Constitutional Convention
Government of New Ingerland
This article is part of the series:
Constitution of New Ingerland
Text of the Constitution
Preamble · Schedule
Chapters of the Constitution
I · II · III · IV · V · VI · VII
Amendments to the Constitution
Constitutional Conventions

Failed amendments · Proposed amendments


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A constitutional convention is a special assembly which has a number of limited constitutional powers conferred upon it by the Constitution of New Ingerland. An occasional body that has met on just one occasion, the principal of a constitutional convention as a means of amending the Constitution was established in the third constitution of New Ingerland that was promulgated in 1907. The assembly is a largely appointed body, and consists of 311 members drawn from a variety of interest groups who elect delegates from among their respective memberships.

History

Function and powers

The only function of a constitutional convention is the power to recommend a change to the constitution. The Parliament of New Ingerland may, by a two-thirds majority, recommend that a constitutional convention assemble to debate one or more specific changes to the constitution. The convention, once it has assembled, cannot make recommendations for any change to the Constitution outside the terms of reference it has been set. Once an agreement on the proposed change has been reached, a question is submitted to all voters for their consent in a referendum.

Membership

Membership of a constitutional convention is quite large. At present there are 308 voting members who can sit on in a convention, plus three ex officio members. The Constitutional Conventions Act[1] defines the membership of a convention to be as follows:

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to sit on the convention, a delegate must meet eligibility requirements to sit as a Senator[2], that is:

  • Be an enrolled voter;
  • Have been resident in New Ingerland for at least three years;
  • Be natural-born subject, or have been naturalised as a subject at least five years previously;
  • Be a person of integrity, good character, and reputation;
  • Have reached the age of 35; and
  • Has not been disqualified from being a Senator or Member of the House of Assembly under the provisions of §60 of the Constitution[3].

References and notes

  1. Constitutional Conventions Act (Public Act No. 17 of 1919).
  2. Constitution of New Ingerland (1982). §59
  3. Constitution §60